A fundraiser for Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Colten Henderson and his children had reached $47,685 by Monday afternoon, just days after a crash on U.S. 65 in Missouri killed Henderson’s wife, Haley.
The family was traveling when a 69-year-old woman from Branson drove north in a southbound passing lane. Her vehicle crashed head-on into the Henderson family’s vehicle, causing a wreck that killed Haley and injured Colten and the couple’s two children.
Colten survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. His children, ages 10 and 11, were also hurt but their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
For Colten, the crash brought two painful realities at once. He was recovering from his own injuries while facing the death of his wife and helping his two children cope with the loss of their mother.
Word of the crash spread quickly among those who know the Henderson family and others who wanted to lend a hand. The Missouri State Troopers Association promoted a fundraiser to help the family deal with the immediate needs that followed the crash.
The response was significant. By Monday afternoon, people had contributed $47,685. The fundraiser gave supporters a direct way to stand behind Colten and his children as they began dealing with the aftermath.
But money can only ease some of the burden. The family still has to recover from their injuries and come to terms with Haley’s death. For the two children, that means facing the loss of their mother while also seeing their father recover from the same crash.
The days ahead are likely to be difficult for Colten and his children. They survived the wreck, but their family has been permanently changed by what happened on U.S. 65.
The support around them has made one thing clear: Colten and his children are not facing the aftermath alone. As they recover and grieve Haley, friends, fellow officers and members of the public are stepping forward to help the family through a loss that happened in an instant.
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